Optimised Engineered Lumber (OEL), timber framing for the future?

The Specialty Wood Products Partnership is a seven year partnership between central government and the forest industry. It aims to investigate the development of new wood products from locally grown specialty timber species. Research is aimed at identifying new processing options for Eucalypts, Douglas-Fir, and Cypresses, in order to produce high-value timber products. The New Zealand Farm Forestry Association and Farm Forestry Timbers are a partner and our expectation is for high-quality science to be applied to industry problems to generate real opportunities for our forest industry.

OEL made from Douglas fir

One of the early opportunities being explored in this programme is testing young small diameter Douglas fir and Eucalyptus nitens in the manufacture of OEL™. Wood from younger trees usually results in lower strength structural products, but this novel approach uses a lamination process to produce a high stiffness structural product with high dimensional stability.

OEL™ is made from thin strips of wood that are finger-jointed and laminated together. By laminating wood the stiffness and strength is dramatically improved and the product has very consistent properties, allowing the use of low quality and small diameter logs that would otherwise yield very little value, for a high quality structural product.

The key question is "Can this be produced cost-effectively?" The SWP doesn't yet have an answer to that, but has demonstrated that strength and stiffness characteristics are very good from both young Douglas fir thinnings and Eucalyptus nitens. In particular the E. nitens showed excellent stiffness properties, and being very fast growing might hold real potential as a plantation species for structural applications. Douglas fir could also potentially be grown in shorter rotations, improving the economics of the species.

The OEL™ technology is patented and the first modular plant is being constructed near Gisborne to process lower quality radiata pine logs. The opportunity I see for other species is to achieve better product prices based on their superior stiffness properties. It would be great for our "alternative" timbers to be valued based on their inherent properties rather than devalued because they are not mainstream. I look forward to more results from the SWP as they become available

How is a finger jointed laminated product product able to be granted a patent. It has been around for a long time

Post from Dean Satchell on July 31, 2017 at 9:08pm

I'm thinking there will be somethng around the production process that improves efficiency. This is, after all, only framing and not exactly high value considering what must go into this product. They need to sort the stiffer laminates and glue them on the outside.

Disclaimer: While every
effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on
this site, Farm Forestry Timbers Society do not accept liability for any
consequences arising from reliance on the information published. If
readers have any doubts about acting on any articles they should seek
confirming, professional advice.

Member profile - MacDirectMay, 2018
For the last 25 years I have been developing the local market for Lusitanica and Macrocarpa timber. Our sawmill sources trees from predominantly plantations. Coming from Dairying then owning a…

Determinations, specialty timbers and the building codeJuly, 2017
What do you know about "Determinations"? Well... Determinations are best described as judgements made by MBIE where disputes arise between the Building Consent Authority (BCA) and those undertaking building work. BCA's must…

Totara and the Building codeJune, 2016
Potential markets for farm-totara timber would be significantly improved by complying with New Zealand’s performance-based Building Code. A range of products and applications hold the promise of market demand but…

Fire Ratings and timberNovember, 2014
Amendments to the fire protection provisions of the New Zealand Building Code has received publicity around the effects these changes will have in reducing opportunities to use timber in buildings.…

Prosperity from Forestry and Wood ProductsNovember, 2013
The forest and wood products industry has the ability to deliver renewable and resilient growth. There are a number of areas where government can, and should, have an interest in…

Vital investment tool developed for wood processorsJune, 2013
A major study report released by the Wood Council highlights the need for by-products from established industries like sawmilling if New Zealand is to develop profitable businesses based on emerging…

Australian Government Illegal Logging Prohibition ActNovember, 2012
Illegal logging has significant environmental, economic and social costs. Legislation designed to promote the trade in legally logged timber and timber products is now law in Australia. If you are…

Farm Forestry TimbersJuly, 2012
The NZ Farm Forestry Association has set up a national industry body representing the interests of local specialty timber producers and those with an interest in specialty timbers. A web…